Boys Over Flowers - A Review

When I first started learning about all the Kdramas that were out there and began getting recommendations on “where to start”, one of the ones on the list was Boys Over Flowers.

“It’s a classic,” I was told. “Everyone has seen this one.”

Boys Over Flowers ended up being my ninth Kdrama that I've watched and I can see why it is such a classic.

Romance? Check!

Comedy? Check!

Evil parent? Check!

Rich boy meets poor girl? Check!

Arranged marriage? Check!

Amnesia? Check!

Probably every single classic Kdrama trope can be found in this drama but it’s not a bad thing. In my opinion, it’s what makes it classic and one of my favorite dramas.

So, if you’re new to the world of Kdramas and you’re trying to decide why you should watch this particular show, allow me to explain why.

The basic plotline is that Geum Jan-Di (played by actress Ku Hye-Sun), the poor daughter of a dry cleaner, ends up receiving a scholarship to attend the prestigious Shinwha High School. There she is shocked to discover the bullying that is done by the four most wealthiest (and of course, good looking!) guys in the school, known as the F4. When one of her very few friends that she makes at the school is targeted by F4, she stands up to their leader, the arrogant Gu Jun-Pyo. Doing so puts a target on her back but Jun-Pyo begins to fall in love with her and Jan-Di soon entangles herself in the lives of the F4 members in ways that she couldn’t even dream of.

Sounds good right? But if you’re still not too sure if this is something you want to invest 25 hours in, please keep reading.

Let me introduce you to the notorious F4.

First of all, we have Song Woo-Bin (played by actor Kim Joon).

Woo-Bin is a charming young man, the son of a business owner who runs the nation’s largest construction company. But how’s this for a plot twist? The company has very strong ties to Korea’s organized crime syndicate. So basically, Woo-Bin is the son of a mafia crime lord. He’s very strong in hand to hand combat and martial arts and there’s plenty of scenes in Boys Over Flowers where you get to see him kick some ass!

Next, we have my personal favorite of the F4, So Yi-Jung (played by actor Kim Bum).

Yi-Jung’s family owns the largest art museum and he is a skilled potter himself. He’s a notorious playboy (he calls himself Casanova) who claims to not believe in love or soulmates, but you know what they say about people who protest too much…

After Yi-Jung we have Yoon Ji-Hoo (played by actor Kim Hyun-Joong).

“The second lead syndrome is so strong in this drama,” I was told. The first time that I watched this drama, I didn’t really see it, but after rewatching it a second time, I definitely appreciate Ji-Hoo so much more. He’s a quiet young man. His grandfather was the former president of Korea and his parents were tragically killed in a car accident. He blames himself for the accident and spends the majority of his time either sleeping or practicing his music. He’s very gentle and kind and is a great friend to Jan-Di, who he eventually falls for.

And lastly, we have Gu Jun-Pyo (played by actor Lee Min-ho).

Jun-Pyo is the leader of F4 and the heir to the Shinhwa Group empire. He’s arrogant and rude but beneath allllll of the rough (albeit, extremely good looking) exterior, he has a good heart and that’s slowly revealed as he falls in love with Jan-Di.

There’s so many different reasons I give you as to why you should watch this drama.

The love stories are messy and intense, but isn’t that life? It’s fascinating to watch Jun-Pyo evolve into a better person and to be challenged consistently by Jan-Di to live his life better. He’s endearing and the way that he looks at her….

Whew.

I need to find me a man that looks at me the way that he looks at her. She is his whole world and your heart is constantly breaking for them as they face challenge after challenge to get their happy ending.

The bromance is also great in this. While not all of these boys are “good” men, they love each other and are the bestest of friends and it’s great to see them interact so naturally with each other. The chemistry between the actors on all levels are phenomenal.  

If I had any criticism of the show it’s only a few minor things. I wish so badly that Woo-Bin would have been given more of a story! So much time is spent with Jun-Pyo, Ji-Hoo, and Yi-Jung that I felt like at times Woo-Bin was the fourth wheel, who was kind of just there along for the ride. There are so many small moments where his character shines through and I wish so badly we could have received more of that.

Also, there were a few times where Jan-Di did irritate me, if only because of her sometimes extreme naivete and her awful haircut.

All in all, I gave Boys Over Flowers a 9.5/10.

Please give it a watch if you haven’t seen it and let me know what you think! Or if you’ve already seen it, comment and let me know what your favorite moment or character is!